Device for operating hinged or guided closures

ABSTRACT

A device for automatically closing a closure installation (such as a window or a door) includes a drive device, a traction mechanism, a spring, an actuating device and a locking device. The closure installation is mounted in a frame supported by a building. The traction mechanism is located between the closure installation and the frame, and is driven by the drive device to close the closure installation. The spring is tensioned when the closure installation is placed in the open position, and supplies the energy to the drive device which is required to close the closure installation. The actuating device is used to initially place the closure installation in the open position. The actuating device tensions the spring when the closure installation is placed in the open position. The locking device is initially released to permit the closure installation to be placed in the open position. After the closure installation is closed, the locking device automatically locks the closure installation to the frame in the closed position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a device for operating linked and guidedclosure installations such as windows, doors, flaps, screens or slidingpanels.

2. Description of the Related Art

Closure devices already exist, operating by means of a sliding arm, oneend of which is connected to the door by a swiveling link, while theother end is free to slide vertically in a guide rail on the door frame.Such door closure devices close the door when the force used to open itis withdrawn, for example, if the person opening the door releases it.This occurs immediately. No delay is envisaged between the withdrawal ofthe force and the closure of the door. The closure device consists ofseveral parts, and is of a complicated construction.

Devices powered by an electric motor are also used for closing doors andwindows. Time switches installed in the current/voltage circuit of theelectric motor can be used to set the time at which the window or doorshould be opened or closed. One disadvantage of such closure devices isthat they are expensive to buy, and also that they require aconsiderable amount of electricity, and thus have a high energyconsumption.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a device which overcomes these drawbacks.Specifically, a device according to the present invention has theadvantage that the closure device is connected by way of a tractionmechanism to the frame of the closure device set in the wall, and thatthe traction mechanism can be coiled around a shaft, which operates onthe closure device by means of a spring. An adjusting device on theshaft is used to adjust the force exerted by the spring on the tractionmechanism. When the closed position has been reached, the closure deviceis locked onto the frame by means of a bar. Utilizing the force exerted,and the proportional relationship, it is possible to adjust theacceleration of the closing device during closing that is produced bythe traction mechanism. The smaller the force, the less theacceleration, thus producing, the speed of closure accordingly.Consequently, the force of the spring, transmitted to the closing deviceby the traction mechanism, can be used to adjust the speed of closure.

One advantage of the device is its relatively simple construction,consisting of only a few parts. This means that its manufacture andinstallation are simple and inexpensive to perform. The device is of apurely mechanical construction, requiring no electrical powerwhatsoever. The closure device has many applications. For example, itcan be installed on various types of closure installations such aswindows, doors, flaps, screens or sliding panels. The closure device isalso simple to operate.

A further advantage of the invention is realized when the closureinstallation consists of a swiveling window, turning on a horizontalaxis in one position, for example, a window in a toilet, bathroom,living room, bedroom or office, or a swiveling skylight. When the windowis opened, this causes the spring attached to the shaft to be released.The ensuing force of the spring ensures that the window automaticallycloses again, within the time selected on the adjustment device. Thiseliminates the risk of a previously opened window remaininginadvertently open over a longer period, which could allow access toburglars, or, during bad weather, penetration by cold air, rain or snow.In the case of heated rooms in particular, a window left inadvertentlyopen for an extended period of time allows cold air to flow in, causingthe heating system controlled by a thermostat inside the room to turn upthe heat. The advantage of the closing device represented by thisinvention is that the window is automatically closed after apredetermined time, thus minimizing the amount of energy consumed by theheating system. This in turn reduces heating costs and helps to protectthe environment.

A further advantage of the invention is that the traction mechanismpreferably consists of a pull rope.

Other advantages and advantageous design features of the invention canbe seen from the following description, the drawing, and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings illustrate an embodiment of the closing device representedby this invention, as described below:

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a window in the tilted position, withthe closing device, and

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the closing device referred to in FIG. 1,viewed from above.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 illustrates a window 1 that pivots on a horizontal axis 2, heldin a tilted position by a retaining strap or strut 3 linking the window1 and window frame 4. The pull rope 6 is attached to the window frame 4A closing device for automatically closing the window 1 preferablyincludes a drive device 7, a spring 10, a traction mechanism such as apull rope 6, an actuating device such as a cord 8, a locking device suchas a bar 12, and a timing element 18 by a hook 5, and connected to theclosing device 7 on the window. A cord 8 is used to open the window andto release the catch in the closing device 7. The catch is not visiblein FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 illustrates the closing device 7 with the pull rope 6 and cord 8as seen from above. The pull rope 6 is led over a deflecting pulley inthe closing device, one end of the pull rope being attached to a spindle9, which is itself linked to a spring 10. The spring supplies storedenergy for the drive device 7 during the closing operation to close thewindow 1. The pull rope 6 and the cord 8 cooperate to tension the spring10 as the window 1 is placed in the open position. Thus, a pullingmotion applied to the cord 8 simultaneously tensions the spring 10 andplaces the window 1 in the open position. When the window is opened,part of the pull rope 6 is tensioned by the spindle 9. This enables thespindle 9 upon commencement of window closure to rotate, releasing thespring 10. The resultant force of the spring acts on the spindle 9,causing it to turn in the opposite direction, so that the pull rope 6 isrewound around the spindle 9. Because a virtually linear relationshipbetween the force of the spring and the released pull rope is created,the spring is pretensioned in the starting position when the window isclosed. The commencement of the closing operation may be controlled by atiming element, such as an adjustable time switch 18 (shownschematically in FIG. 2), installed in the drive device 7. An externallyadjustable brake 16 is placed between the spring and the spindle. Thisis used to adjust the rate of acceleration with which the spring drivesthe spindle. This rate of acceleration determines the speed at which thewindow closes. Because the force is also transmitted to the deflectingpulley 11 through the pull rope, this is well mounted and of robustconstruction. To keep energy losses to a minimum, the deflecting pulleyis relatively large with a considerable dead weight. A ring is attachedto the end of the pull rope nearest the window, preventing the loosepull rope from being drawn into the closing device. The spring 13 isused to push the bar 12 into position in order to lock the window. Thebar 12 is released by pulling a cord 8, which is led over a deflectingpulley 17, enabling the window to be opened. An electromagnet 19 (shownschematically in FIG. 2) may also be used to unlock the window remotelyfrom a central location, for example, when multiple devices according tothe invention are used with several windows simultaneously. The springis strong enough to ensure that the bar latches correctly in the frame.It is sufficient if the force of the spring is only slightly greaterthan that exerted by the weight of the bar 12 and the cord 8. Aplurality of such locking devices may be used at various locations onthe closure installation. Circular recesses 15 are provided in order toattach the housing 14 of the closing device to the window. The method ofattachment to the window must be strong enough to cope with therelatively strong forces acting on the closing device and thus on thehousing too. This is ensured by the positioning of the recesses, asshown in FIG. 2.

Many other changes and modifications may be made to the presentinvention without departing from the spirit thereof. The scope of theseand other changes will become apparent from the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for automatically closing a window whichis initially placed an open position, the closing of the window during aclosing operation placing the window in a closed position, the windowbeing mounted in a frame supported by a building, the device comprising:a drive device, the drive device including a spring, the spring beingadapted to be tensioned when the window is placed in the open position,the spring being adapted to supply stored energy for automaticallyclosing the window during the closing operation to close the window, atraction mechanism, the traction mechanism being adapted to be locatedbetween the window and the frame, the traction mechanism beingconfigured to be driven by the drive device to automatically close thewindow during the closing operation, an actuating device, the actuatingdevice being movable between a deactuated position and an actuatedposition and being adapted to open the window during said movement,wherein the actuating device is coupled to the traction mechanism suchthat movement of the actuating device from the deactuated position tothe actuated position drives the traction mechanism to tension thespring, whereby a pulling motion applied to the actuating devicesimultaneously tensions the spring and is adapted to place the window inthe open position, a locking device, the locking device initially beingreleased by the actuating device and adapted to permit the window to beplaced in the open position, and the locking device automatically beingadapted to lock the window to the frame in the closed position after thewindow is closed, and a timing element, the timing element beinginstalled in the drive device, the timing element being adapted tocontrol the timing of commencement of the automatic closure of thewindow.
 2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the drive device isconfigured to be installed on the window.
 3. A device according to claim1, wherein the drive device includes a shaft that cooperates with thetraction mechanism, the shaft being driven by the spring.
 4. A deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the drive device is adapted to act upon anupper portion of a window that tilts and that is mounted on a horizontalpivoting point.
 5. A device according to claim 1, wherein the tractionmechanism comprises a pull rope.
 6. A device according to claim 1,wherein the actuating device comprises a rope from the drive device. 7.A device according to claim 1, wherein the timing element is adjustable.8. A device according to claim 1, further comprising a stopping device,the stopping device permitting the drive device to be deactivated.
 9. Adevice according to claim 1, wherein the spring controls the speed withwhich the closing operation is performed.
 10. A device according toclaim 1, wherein the spring is a tension spring, and is disposed in acavity of the frame.
 11. A device according to claim 1, furthercomprising a retaining strap, the retaining strap being adapted to bedisposed between the window and the frame, the retaining strap beingengaged by the drive device.
 12. A device according to claim 1, furthercomprising a release mechanism, the release mechanism being configuredto permit the locking device to be unlocked after the window is lockedin the closed position.
 13. A device according to claim 1, furthercomprising a plurality of locking devices, the plurality of lockingdevices being adapted to be placed at various locations on the window.14. A device according to claim 1, further comprising an electromagnet,the electromagnet being configured to permit the locking device to beunlocked remotely after the window is locked in the closed position.